Dolson's growth shows in triple-double performance

Rich Elliott

Published 10:51 pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2013

HARTFORD -- Bria Hartley can remember when it was a chore for 6-foot-5 center Stefanie Dolson to run up and down the floor for long stretches. Dolson has always possessed plenty of talent, but early in her career, she did not have great stamina.

Dolson knew that if she was going to maximize her potential, she needed to put in the work to transform her body. She needed to alter her diet. She needed to enhance her workout regimen.

Over the last three-plus years at UConn, that is exactly what Dolson has done. She no longer labors up and down the court. Now, she occasionally beats guards down the floor as she has become one of the top centers in the nation.

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Her complete skill set was on display against Oregon Wednesday, and she made history in becoming the second player in team history to record a triple-double. Dolson finished with career-highs of 26 points and 11 assists and also added 14 rebounds and three blocks to lead the top-ranked Huskies to a 114-68 win before 7,961 at the XL Center.

"I think every player tries to improve every part of their game," Dolson said. "And, for me, I've always been a good passer. But since getting here, I've gotten better at scoring, gotten better at rebounding, and I'm just very proud of myself. And I'm proud of my teammates for finding me and for allowing me to get this."

Former UConn guard Laura Lishness had been the only member of the Huskies to produce a triple-double, generating 14 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists against Providence in the 1989 Big East tournament final. Dolson joined her by setting up Kiah Stokes for a jump shot with 1:21 left.

"You've got to be a pretty good all-around player to accomplish something like that," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "I thought (Wednesday) she was fabulous. She did all the things that make her the All-American that she is at both ends of the floor. That's what we've come to expect, I think, from Stefanie and I'm really, really, really happy for her. Nobody deserves it more than her."

Dolson showed signs that history was within reach in the first half when she had 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists. She established a double-double in the opening possession of the second half before leaving the game with eight assists with 13:13 remaining.

Auriemma put her back in the game with 7:30 left, and she would play the rest of the way in a 31-minute effort.

"I think it's awesome," Hartley said. "It says a lot about her and her career here, especially as a senior for that to happen, and just kind of gradually see how she's improved over the years. And I remember the times Stef had to run the floor a lot and everything and I was like, `Well, You didn't seem tired out there (Wednesday). This isn't freshman Stefanie.' So it was pretty awesome."

It appeared that Dolson would reach the personal milestone with just over four minutes left. She found Moriah Jefferson cutting to the basket. But rather than attempt a layup with defenders in her face, Jefferson fed it back to Dolson for a layup of her own.

"She didn't know, though, so that's OK," Dolson said. "And she had two girls on her. It was a great pass. So I don't blame her ¦ that much. Kiah had my back."

By the time Dolson passed the ball to Stokes, she knew what was at stake. UConn assistant coach Marisa Moseley had told her that she was one assist shy of a triple-double.

Dolson's signature performance came in her fourth straight game of playing at least 31 minutes. She said that had this been her freshman or sophomore season, this type of performance would not have been possible.

Nothing seems to be impossible for Dolson at this point in her career.

"I don't know how many other ways I can say it," Auriemma said. "There's nobody on our team that works any harder in every single drill every single day to get ready to play than Stefanie does."